Tributes continue to pour in for boxing legend Ricky Hatton

Across big nights and world title fights, ‘The Hitman’ was one of a kind

Sep 18, 2025

The boxing world rocked on Sunday when Ricky Hatton was found dead at home in Manchester. The extremely popular former world champion, busy training for an end-of-year fight, was just 46.

The Hatton family released a statement that said: “He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

“As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support. Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly.”

Ricky’s son, Campbell Hatton, who retired earlier this year from his own pro career, wrote an emotional post on Instagram saying, “Heartbroken isn't the word. Everybody has always said I was your double - never a truer word said. Looked up to you in every aspect of life.

“Can't explain how much I'm going to miss the laughs we had and all the good times, which I will remember forever. Just can't believe we won't have any more. Love you, Dad.”

Liam Gallagher of Oasis posted on X: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Ricky Hatton. It was an absolute honour to know him and carry his belts. RIP champ. Live forever.”

Heavyweight hero Frank Bruno said: “Ricky Hatton, what can I say? He told me he grew up as a fan of mine. I went to a couple of his fights, and we used to bump into each other on the circuit.”

Former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion David Haye added, “Ricky was a brother in this sport. When I saw him, train, fight, give it his all I saw a man who defined what being a champion truly means. Not just belts and wins, but grit, humility, kindness, and loyalty.

“He wasn’t perfect, but he was real, honest to the core. We shared many nights out together all over the world, living life to the fullest as only fighters of our era knew how.”

Like many others, I (Steve) have a bundle of Ricky Hatton memories. The huge Las Vegas nights versus Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, bringing a legion of fans across the water. The build-up to the Floyd fight was an event all on its own, with behind-the-scenes access and raucous open press conferences adding to the drama.

Long before that, there was the adversity of the Jon Thaxton cut and the Eamonn Magee knockdown. The chaos of the Stephen Smith fight, where Smith’s dad, Darkie, jumped into the ring and confronted the referee. The ongoing Junior Witter rivalry goes down as the one that got away.

Who could forget the night Hatton entered the ring in the City of Manchester Stadium, dressed in a fat suit, chants of ‘Blue Moon’ echoing into the night sky.

The retirement victory over Kostya Tszyu in the middle of the night. The Jose Luis Castillo body shot KO that cemented the Floyd fight. A knockout victory over Paulie Malignaggi and on and on…

What are YOUR memories of the unforgettable ‘Hitman’? Let us know in the comments below.

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